National Aquarium Closing In September

The National Aquarium closing has been announced for September 30 in Washington, D. C. The US Commerce Department headquarters, which houses the aquarium, is in the process of renovations, which will include the removal of the first floor aquarium.

The Herbert C. Hoover Building was constructed in the 1930s. The US Commerce Department and the National Aquarium have remained in the same building for over eighty years.

As reported by DCist.com, the aquarium lost federal funding in 1982. The aquarium continued operations as a privately funded organization. The National Aquarium is currently the oldest operational aquarium in the US.

The General Services Administration has stated that the entire building will be closed for renovations beginning September 30. The National Aquarium has been given until March 2014 to completely vacate the space.

The National Aquarium closure will effect close to 1,500 fish and animals. As reported by NBC Washington, the Board of Directors of the National Aquarium have decided to move most of the fish and animals to the National Aquarium, in Baltimore. The others will be transferred to accredited aquarium facilities.

“Here at the National Aquarium, we value our DC venue’s rich history as the nation’s first public aquarium, and we are committed to maintaining a presence in the capital.”

The board announced plans to explore funding and a location for a future aquarium. They stress that the National Aquarium closure in Washington, D.C., will not effect the operations of the National Aquarium, Baltimore.

The National Aquarium will remain open until the end of September. They feature a variety of fish, sharks, alligators, and turtles. The aquarium is open Sunday through Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm. Friday and Saturday hours are 9 am to 7 pm.

Admission is $9.95 for adults, $8.95 for senior citizens and military, $4.95 for children ages 3 to 11, and free for children under the age of three. Admission for members is free.

The oldest operational aquarium in the US, the National Aquarium, is set to close in DC. However, there is still time to visit the historic aquarium before it closes its doors.